Release Date: 29 April 2013
Label: Soundway
Packaging Type: Digipak
No of Units: 2
Barcode: 5060091552838
Genres: World Music
Release Date: 20 May 2013
Label: Soundway
Packaging Type: Gate Fold Vinyl
No of Units: 3
Barcode: 5060091552845
Genres: World Music
Description
Soundway Records present Kenya Special: Selected East African Recordings from the 1970s & '80s - a treasure-trove of rare and unusual recordings from East Africa. Spread out over two CDs and one triple LP, Kenya Special is accompanied by detailed liner notes, original artwork and photographs.
It follows on from Soundway's much acclaimed African 'Special' series that to date has focused on the highlife and afrobeat output from 1970s Nigeria and Ghana. Kenya Special is a collection of 32 recordings (most of which were only ever released on small-run 45rpm 7" singles) that stand out as being different or unique as well as some classic genre standards. From Kikuyu language 'liquid soul', Luo benga and Swahili afrobeat to genre-bending Congolese and Tanzanian tracks recorded in Nairobi, Kenya Special sees Soundway yet again taking the less trodden path. Many of the tracks featured here are peppered with innovation and experimentation highlighting how diverse the music scene in Kenya was at the time.
Painstakingly compiled, assembled and researched over two years by a team of five people from five countries (Kenya included), Kenya Special is a collection that looks beyond the mainstream and brings new life and recognition to some little known gems and forgotten classics of Kenya's past.
Kenya Special: Selected East African Recordings from the 1970s and 80s – review (Soundway)
The Observer ****
"The resurrection of Africa's overlooked musical legacy continues apace. This lovingly packaged collection turns to the less celebrated sounds of east Africa during the 1970s and 80s. With Nairobi sucking in acts from DRC and Tanzania, a diverse scene resulted. Slinky Latin rumba by acts such as Afro 70 – check Week Endcorrect – vied with the aggressive guitar antics of Kenyan benga acts such as Mbiri Young Stars. Soul bands such as the Mombasa Vikings, meanwhile, plied the coastal tourist trade. The 32 cuts here cover all bases, from big hits to forgotten fusions; a fabulously entertaining history lesson"
Description
Soundway Records present Kenya Special: Selected East African Recordings from the 1970s & '80s - a treasure-trove of rare and unusual recordings from East Africa. Spread out over two CDs and one triple LP, Kenya Special is accompanied by detailed liner notes, original artwork and photographs.
It follows on from Soundway's much acclaimed African 'Special' series that to date has focused on the highlife and afrobeat output from 1970s Nigeria and Ghana. Kenya Special is a collection of 32 recordings (most of which were only ever released on small-run 45rpm 7" singles) that stand out as being different or unique as well as some classic genre standards. From Kikuyu language 'liquid soul', Luo benga and Swahili afrobeat to genre-bending Congolese and Tanzanian tracks recorded in Nairobi, Kenya Special sees Soundway yet again taking the less trodden path. Many of the tracks featured here are peppered with innovation and experimentation highlighting how diverse the music scene in Kenya was at the time.
Bonus 7 inch single:
A. Mutumia Muriu - The Lulus Band
B. Nzaumi - Ndalani 77 Brothers
Download only Extras:
Tiga Kurira - The Rift Valley Brothers
Keep Change Kairitu - Gatanga Boys Band
Afrousa (Move On) - Afro 70
The Famous Nyahururu Boys - Mwendwa
Kibe Kibe - The Mombasa Vikings
Pelekani - The Eagles Lupopo
Yanagiria Kayo - Kiratu And His Group
Mngeni Mali Yare Yore - Orchestre Super Volcano
Tracklisting
Tracklisting
Marechal Papillon
Barbara Hernandez
Various Artists
Sai Galaxy
Oluko Imo
Black Truth Rhythm Band
Gypsy Fari
Lord Echo
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
